Gaining independence is one of the most rewarding aspects of attending college, I think. Living roughly 270 miles away from my family, I will admit that there are times when I wish I had my mom along side me helping me make decisions. But that’s not the case. As a friend and I prepare to move into our own apartment for the first time, I can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed and frustrated. Spending around $600 dollars for all decorating necessities and cookware was easy; not much fun to let go of that much money, but easy none the less. I was learning that my independence was growing and I didn’t feel the need to ask for help; that is, until I’ve reached the business aspect of apartment responsibility.

For the first half of this year, I have somewhat taken on the responsibilities of paying the bills; the only difference from then and now is I actually have to contact all the companies, set dates for installation, and most of all, completely understand where and what it is I am writing a check for.

Call me immature and ignorant, but I was definitely a follower who wrote the check when I was told to, not asking many questions. Honestly speaking, I am not really worried about who I have to contact and where my money is going; my concern is that I was never taught or explained to what all the bills mean.

We spend our entire adolescence learning how to prepare for the future, independence, and life in the “real world.” But how many of you actually took a class that taught you about taxes, bills, interest rates, credit, loans, leases, etc.? I know I didn’t, and I am now facing this “real world” with a closed financial mind.Taking initiative to decipher the finances on my own, I thought it would be useful to contact the Off-Campus Housing department to see how they could help me. As it turns out, their sole responsibility is to provide contact numbers to apartment complexes, realtors, and utility companies.

There are several helpful tips on their website about what you should ask before moving in, as well as safety precautions, but the one thing left out were financial answers. I understand that there are just some things in life you learn by experience, through trial and error; and although I am competent enough to do it on my own, as I am doing already, I still could use the extra guidance to help minimize my errors and maximize my savings.

I am not looking for a nanny to hold my hand through my independent escapades; I am just suggesting that there should be some place on campus a student can turn to, to gain insight and learn the process of billing, leases, loans, etc.

These issues are the “real world” and a place of higher learning working to advance our education should either provide a service like this to the students, or create a course that deals and educates students on these issues. I will admit that classes in economics and finance help in some ways to understand the procedures, but there still isn’t a course concentrating on financial expenditures for independent living.

Maybe I am being selfish and stubborn in wanting more from my campus, but as an investor, I feel I have that right. The services I am paying for are great, to some extent, but there are many holes left open and questions unanswered.

Why not expand the services of the off-campus department to include financial counselors who will sit down with you and explain the ins and outs of bills, as well as helping students create a financial plan that will benefit them on their road to independence. I realize that funding staff members is an issue, but if enough students feel the same way I do about needing a little extra guidance, why not put our money to good use, a service many will benefit from?